Houston soldier mourned

Kassandra Infante, center, is flanked by her mother, Jessica Infante, left, and her grandfather, Jesus Infante, as she is presented a flag during the funeral for her father Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante at Houston National Cemetery.

Family and friends of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante gathered Friday to honor the life of the 30-year-old soldier. Infante was killed after a decade of military service by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

Brett Coomer : Chronicle

Staff Sgt. Dennis Grover, left, and Spc. Titus Mathai fold the American flag that draped the casket of Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante during his funeral at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

Infante received a bronze star, the Purple Heart and NATO medal posthumously for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and had deployed to Afghanistan on July 25, his family said. He was soon to become a father for the second time, expecting a son in November with his fiancé, Angelica Gonzalez, a U.S. Army supply specialist. He also leaves behind a six-year-old daughter, Kassandra, from a previous marriage.

Jesus Infante, left, father of Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante, holds a flower as the family gathers around the soldier’s casket.

Brett Coomer : Chronicle

Kassandra Infante, left, places a stuffed animal on her father’s casket at her grandfather, Jesus Infante, looks on following a funeral ceremony for Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante at Houston National Cemetery.